The How-To Lounge: Avoiding Lines

If you’re anything like me, then the idea of standing in a line for longer than a minute or two makes you want to go home and crawl under the covers. I’m exaggerating a bit, but you know what I mean — lines can really dampen a mood! If you feel the same way, see my tips for dealing with the dreaded line and

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If you’re going somewhere you know is crowded at a particular time, like after work or first thing in the morning, put off your trip for one hour. Even an hour can make a huge difference. And waiting in your house or office is far better than waiting in line.

If you’re going to an event that will be expecting a huge influx of people at one time, try getting there early or late. It might be slightly inconvenient, but you’ll save yourself so much trouble that you won’t mind. And you'd be surprised how much even 15 minutes can help.

If you’re going to be alone, bring your iPod, a book, or a magazine that will keep you occupied while you wait. Taking your mind off of the line really does make it feel like it’s moving faster.

If you have someone else with you, then break up the monotony by letting one person walk around or do errands while the other waits. Switching off like this will not only give you each a break, but it’s a good opportunity to get other stuff done too.

i have to say that i've started to change my habits to take into consideration some of these ideas.
like each weekend when my fiance and i go to the movies, he'll usually go to the theater during the day to get our tickets so we don't have to wait in the long lines at night.
when i'm alone, i usually have a book AND my iPod with me so that i can entertain myself...
and when we travel, we usually try to fly early in the AM since those are the shortest lines. there are times that i'll just get there much earlier than i need to so that i don't have to deal with standing in line behind people who are really slow

i have to say that i've started to change my habits to take into consideration some of these ideas. like each weekend when my fiance and i go to the movies, he'll usually go to the theater during the day to get our tickets so we don't have to wait in the long lines at night. when i'm alone, i usually have a book AND my iPod with me so that i can entertain myself...and when we travel, we usually try to fly early in the AM since those are the shortest lines. there are times that i'll just get there much earlier than i need to so that i don't have to deal with standing in line behind people who are really slow

hahaha - yea, i had the same issue with my bun (minus the extremity of a boat race and river dunking). it was messy on an account that i didn't blow dry it straight that morning and it was a frizztastical fright.
The DMV is not somewhere I usually get dolled up for, but if they're planning on taking my picture with their non-skilled photographers and bad lighting, i'd at least like to give myself a fighting chance to look decent :)

hahaha - yea, i had the same issue with my bun (minus the extremity of a boat race and river dunking). it was messy on an account that i didn't blow dry it straight that morning and it was a frizztastical fright. The DMV is not somewhere I usually get dolled up for, but if they're planning on taking my picture with their non-skilled photographers and bad lighting, i'd at least like to give myself a fighting chance to look decent :)

normally i have my hair straightened and down and makeup onwell that was the one day i was able to go in the afternoon because i was at a company bbq and had been in a BOAT RACE and had been dunked in the river, so i had my hair all curly in a messy bun and no makeup. i didn't even look like myselfso i have this ID that looks like me circa 1999

normally i have my hair straightened and down and makeup on
well that was the one day i was able to go in the afternoon because i was at a company bbq and had been in a BOAT RACE and had been dunked in the river, so i had my hair all curly in a messy bun and no makeup. i didn't even look like myself
so i have this ID that looks like me circa 1999

Good Article. Thanks for the tips...
skigurl - i've been in the same sitch.
I was told that my license picture was from a while ago and they no longer had it on file.
I definitely walked into the DMV that morning in sweats, hair in a messy bun, and not an ounce of makeup on my face.
Bouncers, store clerks, and other random people who check my ID always have to do a double-take ;)

Good Article. Thanks for the tips...skigurl - i've been in the same sitch. I was told that my license picture was from a while ago and they no longer had it on file. I definitely walked into the DMV that morning in sweats, hair in a messy bun, and not an ounce of makeup on my face. Bouncers, store clerks, and other random people who check my ID always have to do a double-take ;)

i friggin hate waiting in lines
thanks for the tips. the key for me is to keep busy by either bringing a friend to talk to or texting or making a list (i love making lists!)
the other important thing is to make sure you have everything you need for when you reach the front. nothing worse than waitnig at the DMV only to learn you need a certain piece of documentation you left in your car.
or in my case, learning you have to get your license picture taken and you look like crap.

i friggin hate waiting in linesthanks for the tips. the key for me is to keep busy by either bringing a friend to talk to or texting or making a list (i love making lists!)the other important thing is to make sure you have everything you need for when you reach the front. nothing worse than waitnig at the DMV only to learn you need a certain piece of documentation you left in your car.or in my case, learning you have to get your license picture taken and you look like crap.